A press release from Connecticut Republican Party ...

NEW BRITAIN - Connecticut Republican Chairman Chris Healy filed an Elections Enforcement complaint Wednesday against 12 year-incumbent Democrat State Treasurer Denise Nappier accusing her of violating state election laws over her promotion of a student loan program within a 60-day window of the election.

The violation concerns promotional activities with the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) program, which allows parents to set aside tax deferred funds until they are needed for college tuition. The Treasurer is responsible for managing the funds.

“Treasurer Nappier consciously violated the law when she allowed her staff to use tax payer resources in the Treasurer’s Office to plan and orchestrate a media event designed to promote her reelection,” said Healy. “Nappier allowed her image and printed quotes on materials distributed by The Hartford to the public. Nappier has been in office long enough to know this is a prohibited activity within 60 days of an election.”

During Nappier’s official October 6th press conference announcing “CHET Advisor” Nappier attempted to compensate for the poor performance of the fund as compared to other states by announcing reforms to the program that had long been advocated by both investors and professional organizations.

“Nappier knows that she has been misleading families about the true performance of the CHET program,” said Healy. “This media event and the involvement and the manipulation of The Hartord are an attempt to use a fresh coat of paint to cover the mismanagement and underperformance of her administration.”

The Treasurer’s office should be made to reimburse The Hartford for all costs associated with the publication and distribution of CHET Advisor materials designed to aid in her reelection.”

Today, Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy tipped his hand — he wants Sen. Sam Caligiuri to run against Chris Murphy.
"Over the last few weeks, State Senator Sam Caligiuri and I have discussed his candidacy for statewide office. After much thought and discussion with other leaders and activists, I have urged him to focus his energies on the Fifth Congressional district where I believe he would be a top candidate," Healy said.
In response to Chairman Healy’s call for Sen. Caligiuri to enter the Fifth Congressional district race, Caligiuri made the following statement:
"I want to thank Chairman Healy for his kind words and encouragement of my potential candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District. Over the last several days I have been exploring this option with Chairman Healy and other leaders in the party who have reached out to me in support of this move. My goal has always been to best serve the people of Connecticut by reviving our economy, reforming government, and restoring fiscal responsibility. Over the coming days, I will make a decision on how I can best continue to fight for those principles and serve the people of Connecticut."
But what happened to Justin Bernier? Bernier was endorsed already by Greg Cogswell, Torrington’s Republican Town Committee chair. Will this pit Republicans against Republicans? Old guard against tea party GOP?

Connecticut Federation of Republican Women
Media Release
For immediate release
From: Maral Austin Johnson, Corresponding Secretary, 1-860-658-7962 between 6 AM – 11 PM
Re: Sat., May 30th , 12-2 PM Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Inn in Middletown, CT.
During the weekend after Memorial Day, on Saturday, May 30, the Connecticut Federation of Republican Women will hold its Annual Meeting and Luncheon from 12 - 2 PM at the Inn in Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut.
Members, potential members, friends and neighbors from all over Connecticut are encouraged to form companionable carpools to attend. Gentlemen are welcome to congregate with others of like minds, to tender moral support and consider attainment of GOP victories.
Invited guests include: the Hon.M. Jodi Rell, Governor; Republican National Committeewoman Patricia Longo; Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy; Republican State Party Vice Chairwoman Lisa Carver; the Hon. Christopher Shays; the Hon. Nancy Johnson; the Hon. Rob Simmons; State Senator Toni Boucher; State Representative Lawrence Cafaro; State Representative Marilyn Giuliani; Republican officials and legislators, Guest Speaker David West, author of "Reality Check".
The lunch includes gourmet-prepared chicken or salmon entree, side dishes, salad, dessert, coffee or tea at a charge of $35 per person and a cash bar for those who wish it.
Checks should be made payable to "CFRW" and mailed to Judy Davies, CFRW Treasurer, 332 Joshuatown Rd., Lyme, CT, 06371, specifying entrée choice. Davies may also be reached at (860) 526-9828. Space limitations make early reservations prudent. Dues may also be paid at the door, including those for At-Large memberships. Exit 15 off Route 9 leads to the 70 Main Street destination. Parking spaces are in close proximity to the Inn.
Each club has traditionally brought gifts or favors suitable for door prizes, etc. Any questions about this, or other matters, may be directed to CFRW President Kathleen McCarty at (860) 442-2903 in Waterford, CT.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz will talk about her every-four-years consideration of a run for governor on Channel 3's "Face the State" program at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Maybe all those slick (taxpayer-funded, we assume?) commercials where Bysiewicz explained the new system of voting finally have raised her profile large enough to get her to take the plunge this time.
Also on the show will be state Republican Chairman Chris Healy talking about how to rebuild the party in Connecticut and possible challengers to U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd next year.

The Connecticut Democratic Party, riding the coattails of Barack Obama’s historic presidential run and fueled by a huge statewide voter turnout, appeared on track Tuesday night to pick up the seat it needs to claim a veto-proof "supermajority" in the state Senate to match the one it already has in the House of Representatives, state political leaders said.
"We got smoked ... mostly because of the national trend," said state GOP Chairman Christopher C. Healy. "It’s now the liberal Democratic show, ‘Live from Hartford,’ and we’ll do everything we can to educate the voters as to what they’re up to ... It’s just too lopsided a balance up there, based on the numbers."
Of the new Democratic "supermajority," Healy said, "I don’t think the Democrats understand the severity of the financial crisis ... If they think they can tax the millionaires and get us out of this, they are in for a rude awakening ..."But for tonight, they won. They won impressively," he said. "We have to suck it up and get back in the game, which I think we will do within days."